Week Four Marathon Training Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Race, Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Hot Chocolate, Marathon Training, Running, Training December 8, 2013

Brrrr!!! We had a cold front here in Arizona this week (still happening as I write) and I know that while I may be freezing my buns here, it’s waaaaay colder in other parts of the United States (and world).

Nevertheless, the miles keep piling. Sunday was a cross train day so I hopped on a bike at the gym—hadn’t done that in a while—and went at it for 6 miles. I also continued my Runner’s World Streak by running an easy mile on the treadmill. I missed the bike and definitely plan on incorporating it more in my training.

Monday was hill day. This week called for an extra mile so I did a slow and steady climb instead of a high intensity one like last week. This was smart as I was definitely whooped by the end.

Tuesday I wanted to take it easy as I was starting to feel the effects of the mileage increase but then this happened

My blood was seriously pumping because of the 7 sighting, I threw in an abs video on YouTube at home later for good measure : )

Wednesday was speed day at the track. For some reason, I’m always looking forward to this day of the week. I think it’s something about being around other runners that motivates me. I don’t know what it is but I can def feel myself getting faster 

Thursday was a tempo run back on the treadmill. Boy, oh boy, did I feel my leg on this run. I’ve mentioned in a previous blog but if you missed it, I visited a doctor about shin splints. After discussing it with him, the pain is really more on my left leg which led my doctor to think it’s more of a stress fracture than shin related. I’ve got an MRI scheduled for my left leg on Wednesday and I’m hoping, hoping, hoping it’s not bad news. I could definitely feel the pain at the start of my 5 mile run that day though which makes me really nervous.

Friday was a rest day—except for one streak mile and quick visit to the Hot Chocolate 15k Expo. Yep! My next race I am running for chocolate. You’ll absolutely get a re-cap of it on Monday.

Today, Saturday, is typically my long run day but I’ve got my Hot Chocolate 15K race tomorrow morning. So, one streak mile it was.

16 total running miles, 6 biking miles. Overall, a very good week with some fun surprises and a few red signs. Next week will be a big week with my race tomorrow and that appointment Wednesday. I’ll be keeping you posted.

Before I go, here’s a fun family photo for you from this week : )

My daughter showing me her fridge artwork ❤

How was your workout week? Are you affected by weather conditions in your area?

Have you ran a Hot Chocolate race? How was it?!?

Fast Food Struggles

Posted by hellyontherun in Healthy Eating, Running and tagged with Diet, Discipline, Eating, Fast Food, In-N-Out Burger, McDonald's, Running December 4, 2013

I’ve written about my love for fast food before, and I wanted to update you all on how I’ve been doing.

I have not eaten at McDonald’s in two months. I repeat, I have not eaten McDonald’s in two months!

This is huge for me. I was a crazy person when it came to the Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal and would have it 3-5 times a week. You read that right. Large size too (gosh, the McDonald’s fountain drinks are amazing–tackling my soda intake is for another day lol). I’ve tried quitting McDonald’s before, watching Super Size Me and reading Fast Food Nation to no avail.

But ever since post pregnancy I’ve become more serious than I’ve ever been with running and knew that if I wanted to improve, my diet would have to too.

CONFESSION: I still eat fast food.

I no longer eat McDonald’s or Burger King, KFC makes me nauseous just thinking about it, Arby’s has zero appeal but…. In-n-Out is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

I justify eating at In-n-Out by saying it’s the healthier of the fast food options but I’m not kidding myself, it’s still counts.

I think what makes it difficult to let go of fast food completely is that I love the convenience of it and I hate to cook. I’ve tried, but when what I attempt doesn’t come out tasty it’s such a blow to my self-esteem. I wish I had the same approach to cooking as I do running: practice, practice, practice. But, sadly, I don’t.

I wanted to tackle the biggest hurdle and I knew that was McDonald’s. If I could not eat that, everything else would be easier for me to handle and that’s proven true as I avoid all the other places I frequented.

I know eliminating all fast food, In-n-Out included, isn’t realistic. I believe in everything in moderation. I know someday I’ll probably drive thru McDonald’s again but it won’t be the same. It won’t bring me the satisfaction it used to. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come these past few months, not just in weight loss and training, but as a person. I’ve proven to myself that if I have a plan, I can be disciplined enough to follow through with it.

–What are struggles you face maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

–Do you like fast food?

Week Three Marathon Training Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Running and tagged with Busy Life, Christmas, Family, Marathon Training, Personal Stuff, Running December 2, 2013

One of the things I hear the most from people is, “You always have something going on!” It’s true. It’s like I thrive on having a lot to do jaja! That’s actually part of why my blog is named hellyontherun—I’m always running around everywhere, literally and figuratively

This past week was busy busy as I’m sure it was for most Americans preparing for the holidays. Last Sunday we began Christmas decorating (I know, I know, Thanksgiving hadn’t even happened) and I had the cutest little helper.

I had to rearrange my training schedule for the holiday and because we were going out of town so I did my tempo run on Monday—a chill 4 miles. On Tuesday I had my doctor’s appointment to check out my shins which I wrote about here. Tuesday this guy also had an appointment–

–his 4 month check-up. Yep, 4 months already!

That same day (told you I was busy) we hit the road down south.

Wednesday, my husband and I ran an easy 2 miles to get acclimated to the cold weather. I love running in Douglas but I forget how cold it can get there.

Thursday was Turkey Trot 5k day and boy was it an awesome day : )

Friday morning my husband and I did another easy 2 miles (I started the Runner’s World Streak Challenge on Thanksgiving) before we hit the road back to Phoenix.

Saturday morning at 5:30 I was up and ready for my long run, 8 miles. I decided that after a whirlwind week I’d make it an easy 8 so I started the first half of it at a very comfortable pace. The second half I picked up the pace. Here are my all over the place splits:

1- 10:48
2- 10:51
3- 10:56
4- 10:52
5- 10:43
6- 10:17
7- 10:08
8- 9:43

19 total miles for the week and finished November with a grand total of 50.43 miles.

Oh, and this happened today : )

–Do you like having a lot of things going on?

–Are you excited for the holidays?